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Moreton Bay Regional Council to make final decision on Youngs Crossing Road upgrade

It floods at least once a year, forcing up to 20,000 cars onto surrounding roads. Now Council will decide how to make sure that doesn’t happen again … but it won’t be cheap.

Youngs Crossing Road at Kurwongbah underwater after a flood.
Youngs Crossing Road at Kurwongbah underwater after a flood.

Moreton Bay Regional Council is expected to decide on Thursday whether it will build a new bridge or raise the existing one in an effort to flood proof Youngs Crossing Road at Joyner.

And neither option will be cheap.

It follows a commitment from the Federal Government last year to chip in $7.75 million towards the project.

Youngs Crossing Road, on the boundary of Petrie and Joyner, floods at least once a year, forcing up to 20,000 cars onto surrounding roads.

In a two-year period between 2010 and 2012, the existing crossing was closed to traffic over 25 times.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has formed two options to solve the problem.

Plan showing Option 1 for the Youngs Crossing Rd upgrade. IMAGE: MBRC
Plan showing Option 1 for the Youngs Crossing Rd upgrade. IMAGE: MBRC

Option one, which is estimate to cost $49.5 million, involves building a new four-lane bridge, next to the existing bridge but 10m higher, providing long-term flood protection.

This route will also involve construction of a four-lane signalised intersection where Youngs Crossing Road connects with Dayboro Road. In this option, Dayboro Road would require an $18 million upgrade, to be funded by the State Government.

Plan for Option 2 for Youngs Crossing Road upgrade. IMAGE: MBRC
Plan for Option 2 for Youngs Crossing Road upgrade. IMAGE: MBRC

Option two, costing approximately $56.1 million, involves building a new four-lane bridge to link Youngs Crossing Rd to Andrew Petrie Drive.

This new bridge will follow the existing preserved road reserve corridor along Andrew Petrie Drive and will connect through traffic to the Dayboro Road/Beeville Road roundabout.

The promised $7.75 million from the Federal Government is only available to council if it sticks with option one.

RELATED STORY: Residents fume as Youngs Crossing Road floods again

Youngs Crossing, at Petrie, road well under water.
Youngs Crossing, at Petrie, road well under water.

Moreton Bay Regional Council conducted a community consultation in September asking residents which option they preferred.

Council received thousands of responses – with 66.6 per cent in favour of option 1.

Councillors will vote at the meeting on Thursday which option they want to pursue.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has already allocated $1.5 million in its budget for the design process.

The report, prepared by council, states the design and more community consultation will begin in early 2021 with construction to start later that year.

If all goes to plan council hopes to have the bridge and road open by mid-2023.

Council officers have recommend option one as the preferred option.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/moreton/moreton-bay-regional-council-to-make-final-decision-on-youngs-crossing-road-upgrade/news-story/4d91251b5b49c1e9191a047c24b52faf